First look at the Shrike Simulations F-86 Sabre in Microsoft Flight Simulator

Today we're taking a first look at the F-86 Sabre by Shrike Simulations in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Shrike sent me a review copy which I thought was under embargo until 30th - after re-reading it said 27th - the aircraft will be released on the 30th, so here we are!
Enjoy!
#msfs #flightsimulator #aviation #flying #flight #simulator #microsoft #asobo #tobii
---
Useful resources:
My homepage:
- jonbeckett.online
My flight simulation blog (subscribe by email for free!):
- jonbeckett.substack.com
All of the functional procedures I have written up to get aircraft up and running in simulators:
- ko-fi.com/jonbeckett/shop
The flight simulation community I founded (join for free!):
- virtualflight.online
---
Resources I use to create content:
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- www.flightsimulator.com/
Navigraph (charts, flight planning, and tracking)
- navigraph.com
Copyright © 2023 Jeppesen. All rights reserved. The charts are available to the flight simulation community via Navigraph.
LittleNavMap (mapping software)
- albar965.github.io/littlenavm...
OBS (Screen and audio capture)
- obsproject.com/
Tobii Eye Tracker 5 (head and eye tracking)
- gaming.tobii.com/product/eye-...
Volanta (flight tracking)
- volanta.app/
Simbrief (flight planning)
- simbrief.com
---
Computer Specification:
- CPU : Intel Core i7 @ 3.60 Ghz (Skylake)
- GPU : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM : 16Gb
- HDD : 1863 Gb NVME
- NET : 500 megabit fibre

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

The Sabre is one of my favorite Jets of all time. It is so beautiful.

[@goblin2bis707]

The point of jet fighters in MSFS is fun ! old jet fighters do not fight anymore in our world, they are shown in airshows or flew for fun, as we can do in MSFS. But also modern combat jet : they do not see combat often. Nice video !

[@CplKitfox]

Kinda wish they had put this much effort into their PA-30 Twin Comanche.

[@dillank3240]

"This is going to be fun, isn't it?" You took the words right out of my mouth.

[@schroeer]

I was just about to think to myself that today isn't the 30th yet... But then I read the description that says the 30th is the release day and the NDA ends on the 27th :) Great video.

[@nickk8762]

Great video. Interesting what you said about not liking fast jets in msfs. I used to say the same thing. Then I came upon a youtuber called cgaviator, changed my view entirely. He is a former RAF fast jet instructor. He does navigation exercises with a stop watch (old school if you like) Teaches aerobatics in the Hawk amongst other things. For me a whole new perspective on msfs. Not everyones cuppa tea but worth a watch. Love the channel Jonathan. Great stuff.

[@jonbeckett]

Yep - I love his channel too - I guess I always side towards DCS for military jets because the sensor suites and weapons systems work :)

[@ImpendingJoker]

It seems odd to me that Milviz just allowed the FSX version to be converted to MSFS just a few months ago as freeware, and now they are trying to sell it to us. This aircraft is the very reason why I no longer buy from Milviz. Their customers wanted a fix for this aircraft for the canopy so it could be used in P3D, and Milviz actually attacked them "because you have no right to ask anything of us. It's not happening so stop asking", the backlash was pretty big, and a few days later, yes I said days, the released an "unofficial unsupported" fix for the glass in the canopy. If it was only day why shame your customers and tell them to stop asking for something they clearly wanted? I made the choice then and their to not buy the F-86(though I was interested in it), and to never buy another Milviz product, and I never have. It tarnished their reputation and is one of the biggest reasons they have changed their name but, you don't fool me Milviz, I still won't give you a dime. Before you say, "But this is a Shrike product", it is Milviz's spinoff for cheaper aircraft.

[@ironmann16]

There's just something about the sabre that makes it special. This is the one military aircraft I'd choose to fly over the F-4 phantom

[@ColtonRMagby]

Now, THAT'S a beautiful plane.

[@Danko05]

Those guys at Blackbird do some real great work...!!!

[@oisiaa]

Yep....this is my next purchase! Love the F-86!

[@wanderer5200]

Cockpit and panel look nice.

[@Faye-9896]

GIMNE GIMNE GIMME fhis looks amazing!

[@BUY_YOUTUB_VIEWS826]

I am diggin this vibe

[@VonHoffnung]

Love the Saber in DCS

[@Foxtrot_EW]

Came out tonight in Marketplace. Its mine!

[@einherz]

probably 9/10 models closes canopy itself on engine off after parking:) thank you for show this beast. hard to wait till 30march:)

[@hondayamaha2611]

So how's the pilot suppose to get out? Hahahahaha I don't think the real airplane does that monkey business.

[@einherz]

@@hondayamaha2611 this question better direct to asobo guys. this bug, i really don't remember how long exist. funny situation is some of aircraft hasn't this bug, so somewhere in model we got solution. however, new aircraft coming in sim with same bug again and again... probably most of people just don't give a thing about this:)

[@jeffreyuprichard3754]

This is excellent value for around £15 but I had trouble installing it into my community folder. The tech people were very good but it still took a long time to install In the end i had to install it into my C DRIVE then drag it into the community folder.

[@Belatu42]

You may not be able to shoot anything, but it’s the same appeal as the P51 or Spit. With these machines it’s as close to you’ll ever be to a falcon or an eagle ;) I find myself only flying medevac missions with helos in combat sims anyway…

[@DoctorShocktor]

Yes. Most fighter pilots NEVER end up shooting a shot in anger, what the DO enjoy is the incredible acrobatics and cross country travel available them in a jet fighter. We have the WORLD in the sim, yet people don’t want to use the most fantastic way to SEE it - a jet fighter.

[@MegaPeedee]

The RAAF were still flying them in the 1970s: Australia gave their remaining Sabres to Malaysia.

[@fulanitoflyer]

Crazy to think that the Bolivian Air Force flew these until the mid 90s.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

They could get tracers and firing rockets, the Hype Performance Group H-145 military version has all of these thing.

[@sparkplug0000]

Aesthetically, I always thought the F-86 was one of the best looking aircraft ever produced.

[@JDSleeper]

Given that Shrike is Blackbird's less expensive brand I expect this to not be study level by any means. But not every aircraft has to be. If you want true Study Level there's always DCS. But I'm not interested in DCS. I just want to fly around a bit and this seems to fit that bill.

[@DoctorShocktor]

Simply ask a real world fighter pilot what the use is of a jet fighter outside of combat…it’s the ULTIMATE traveling machine, not to mention the ultimate performance aircraft for personal use. 1. The view from a bubble canopy is unmatched. Why did you test this aircraft over the flat dullness of mid UK when you could have flown over Italy, Pakistan, Alaska, Chile, any number of places where the Sabre was used but in much more scenic areas. 2. The speed also is unmatched for cross country travel. Yes, the fuel range is limited compared to airliners or business jets, so just turn off fuel usage in the sim, one of the huge benefits we have in the sim. Then travel from place to place at Mach 1.5 or more, enjoying much shorter trips. 3. The climb performance gets you above bad weather so much faster, and into jet streams that speed you on your way. 4. The acrobatic performance means you can have fun with it at a local airport or on route to somewhere else. If one is a pilot, and actually wants to enjoy flying aircraft, rather than just setting autopilot buttons, jet fighters are much more fun. 5. I second the recommendation of cgaaviator and other IRL jet pilots who instruct sim pilots in how to use a jet fighter or trainer to perform precision navigation without just using a GPS/Autopilot. A jet fighter is the quickest way to speed through flights using VORs, ADBs, pilotage, etc. as you don’t spend as much time just droning along between waypoints. Fighter pilots will all agree that a jet fighter is the ultimate toy/tool for traveling around the world, and we have that in our sims for pennies per hour - take advantage of it, and use one’s imagination far beyond the ordinary thoughts of using them as a lorry to carry missiles and bombs.

[@jonbeckett]

All good points. My interest with non-military aircraft has always been the systems modelling and avionics - so the FMCs, MCDUs, nav radios, GPS units, etc - how they work, how you use them to navigate, and so on. It's all fascinating :)

[@f.javierferrerob9981]

😮😮😮

[@LuisArgerich]

Cockpit looks much better than all DC designs planes combined. Really looks better than what I expected.

[@ImpendingJoker]

Oh, sure, Milviz was always good at texturing and modeling. They just always fell flat on flight dynamics.

[@BuntyDave]

Wow...gimme gimme gimme 🙂

[@fulanitoflyer]

Personally I don't mind fighter aircraft in MSFS, fun for navigation and time on target exercises.

[@DoctorShocktor]

Also cross country travel, very fast and the view is unmatched by airliners, biz jets, etc.

[@Runway_Models1987]

Looks better than the DCS one.

[@CaptainCAVU]

Great review and beautiful jet, but...15:11 That is actually half a Cuban 8 maneuver

[@jonbeckett]

I know I had the wrong name when I did it, but went completely blank lol

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I wonder how much better it would have performed if we had flush mount rivet technology back then.

[@hondayamaha2611]

They did...........just not implemented here. Hahahahaha

[@janvisser2488]

Jonathan, maybe you have an idea why they picked an F-86 that has been lying on the bottom of the ocean for a decade or two....I mean givin the completely rusty cockpit... Only the AH and Turncoordinator faceplate seem new... Bummer ! Beautiful modeling and external texturing.

[@jonbeckett]

There are many liveries with it - I just happened to pick this one.

[@janvisser2488]

@@jonbeckett I ment the VC textures Jonathan....

[@oisiaa]

What do you mean you don't get the point of fighters in FS? To fly them! I'm not using FS to employ weapons, I'm using FS to fly planes like this warbird that are in civilian hands.

[@Foxtrot_EW]

Well sad! 99% of usaf pilots never see combat. I didn't. It a tool to polish your flight skills and learn. Not a killing sim!

[@Runway_Models1987]

I just bought it forgetting that it’s the same as the freeware version

[@RV6Pilot]

It’s much better in DCS where you can actually utilize weapons. What are you going to do in MSFS? Touch & goes?

[@jonbeckett]

A commenter made a very good point recently. The number of air force pilots that have fired weapons in anger in the last however many decades (discounting the gulf war, and syria) can be counted one one hand. The vast majority of military flight is either navigation exercises, practice in test ranges, or mock dogfights.

[@jonbeckett]

Really good example - the UK had a famous interceptor called the "Lightning". It only ever fired a missile once - to down a pilotless Harrier that was out of control, flying towards an international border. Throughout it's entire service career, it never fired on an adversary.

[@johngleason6472]

Why the heavy rivet textures? Not authentic

[@CurleeToes]

Looks and sounds good do you know the price?

[@jonbeckett]

According to the information I have, it will be $19.95 USD from the Shrike website.

[@CurleeToes]

@@jonbeckett wow that’s a very fair price I was expecting at least £25 thank you

[@PoochAndBoo]

How do you get military airplanes parked at Air Force bases?

[@jonbeckett]

You download add-on scenery from FlightSim.To :)

[@mro9466]

Basically a P3D port

[@Faye-9896]

Does this have a afterburner btw?

[@reaper378]

Only if the engine is on fire

[@Faye-9896]

​@@reaper378 ... ok that's fair.

[@jonbeckett]

The model simulated is the F-86F as far as I'm aware - which didn't have an afterburning engine.

[@Faye-9896]

​@@jonbeckett thank you.

[@chrishall197]

But the 30th is on Saturday?

[@FlightSimCFI]

Oops 😂 maybe we got the unofficial sneak peek

[@jonbeckett]

It's released on the 30th - video embargo today - I re-read the email earlier and realised I could release it :)

[@chrishall197]

@@jonbeckett Good news! She's a stunner but seems a bit lacking systems wise. I will wait for the Tonka!

[@salemi771]

U seem like a reasonable person. Why FS2020.?

[@jonbeckett]

The developers of the F-86 for MSFS approached me about making some content with it :)

[@davidmcclean8811]

No Huff livery.😒

[@roberthemingway7691]

Unbelievably beautiful aircraft Can somebody pre-warn me how many gigs it requires? I’m running out of space and I want to make sure I have enough! L O L

[@ButchNackley]

4 years now and the controls loosing connection still hasn't been fixed. Asobe needs to repair the sim, as opposed to just continuosly adding more junk to it. Proper function should be priority. The Sabre looks good for early showing. However the engine sound of this model is nowhere near correct. Be it a GE or an Orenda. They are loud as hell. The team needs to hunt down some authenic audio. Looking forwards to it's progress.

[@hondayamaha2611]

Don't hold your breath.

[@TrueSight_333]

MSFS really needs to introduce combat into the simulation. It's kind of silly to have all of these awesome fighters and do nothing but fly them around. BORING! For people who don't like the complexity of DCS, MSFS could really bridge that gap!

[@ChristainYirchott]

Sounds like the old days of the Microsoft Combat Simulator. Idk what happened to that, they were cool though.

[@Foxtrot_EW]

That won't happen. Microsoft said this is a tool to learn how to fly and to keep your flight skills Polished. It is not a crash simulator or a war simulator. Is a flight simulator. Now I was in the USAF and 99% of us never saw combat and we didn't want to see combat. It was fun just to fly and soar with the birds and combat was the last thing that was on our minds. Go play Ace combat or DCS or something else but this is for serious enthusiast who want to learn how to fly and not kill.

[@Jigsaw407]

Uhm ... but it's the 27th.

[@jonbeckett]

If you read the notes - when I originally recorded this, I thought the embargo was up on the 30th - it's not - it comes out on the 30th :)

[@Jigsaw407]

@@jonbeckett That's good! I wouldn't want you get into trouble. I feared that the video went up prematurely. Looks good! I'm pretty sure this will be joining my fleet. Thanks for the overview

[@jordanstrahan4307]

Console?

[@jonbeckett]

It will initially be available from their website.

[@jordanstrahan4307]

@@jonbeckett so I'm assuming the 30th release will be pc only

[@jonbeckett]

@@jordanstrahan4307 yes

[@MuggaVirtualPilotMVP]

Had high hopes, but the model is not accurate, the panel lines are entirely incorrect, the cockpit model is not accurate, canopy frame does not look like it does on the real aircraft and so on. Why? You could have produced a killer module, but seems to fall well short of being an accurate model.

[@jonbeckett]

You said "you could have"... I'm not the developer :) I'm just a guy recording youtube videos playing with Flight Simulator :)

[@MuggaVirtualPilotMVP]

Intended for the developer!

[@henryharvey6609]

The modeled look looks rather pudgy, the Sabre/Fury series didn't come out till after WWII, get your info right Chap!

[@jonbeckett]

Erm... I said 1950s. That is after world war II. I also said the century series followed them :)

[@hondayamaha2611]

The cockpit is the same as FSX/P3D. MSFS is a civilian sim. Either remove all that old military garbage or offer a civilianized cockpit. Go look at any restored F-86 flying around today. They have beautiful modernized cockpits. Plus, there's nothing to shoot at or bomb in MSFS. Go to DCS for that, and they have a beautiful fully functional F-86 for $25 dollars US, on sale now. Blows this release right out of the sky. Hahahahahaha

[@callmehost7594]

this is one of my favorite planes and it looks so good in the sim ive been waiting for a high fidelity f86, will this be coming to xbox?

[@jonbeckett]

The information I have only mentions the Marketplace. Of course that might mean Xbox too.

[@callmehost7594]

@@jonbeckett thanks!👍